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Le Bourget Paris Air Show 19-25 June 2017

The Paris Air Show is the world’s oldest and largest air show, gathering major industry’s players across the globe for the 52nd time this year.

JTEKT Corporation, as an important supplier of state-of-the-art components for this demanding industry will be showcasing Koyo products at the exhibition in Hall 6/stand B12.

Please join us in Paris – Le Bourget from Monday, June 19 until Sunday, June 25.

This event will be a unique opportunity to learn about the latest Koyo products for this demanding segment, as well as interact with JTEKT staff.

HALL 6/STAND B12


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SKF bearings put Scuderia Ferrari in the driving seat

The 2017 Formula 1 season just started, and SKF is right at the heart of it again, extending its long association with Scuderia Ferrari. SKF will supply a range of specialist products as well as its design and validation expertise to the Italian motor racing giant.

“We have had close and lasting technical cooperation with Scuderia Ferrari for 70 years,” says Jean-Sylvain Migliore, SKF Racing Unit Manager. “Our parts offer real technical advantages – ranging from low friction and compactness to higher toughness and extended life.”

Under the agreement, SKF will supply all customised products that fit into the chassis, such as wheel bearings and plain bearings. At the same time, it will supply a broad range of products for the engine and gearbox – including cylindrical and needle roller bearings, deep groove and angular contact ball bearings and hybrid products.

The SKF bearings provide top end performance: special materials – such as high speed and high temperature steel – as well as special coatings and other complex features all contribute towards meet the exacting standards of Formula 1 components.

Some of the materials, including ceramics, special steels, lubricants and coatings, are still under development in SKF’s R&D centre. In addition, SKF will supply Scuderia Ferrari with testing facilities in order to improve factors such as condition monitoring.

“SKF has been associated with Ferrari since the foundation of the Maranello factory. Over the years, Ferrari has enjoyed the fruits of this co-operation and looks forward to a bright future together” says Maurizio Arrivabene, Scuderia Ferrari’s Team Principal at Scuderia Ferrari.”


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SKF helps the Ducati Team gear up for MotoGP 2017

SKF’s high performance parts and specialist technical knowledge are once again helping the Ducati Team prepare for success in this year’s MotoGP World Championship. The season started on March 23 with the Grand Prix of Qatar on a track that last year saw the Italian motorcycle manufacturer not only place second thanks to Andrea Dovizioso but also claim the circuit’s top speed record with Andrea Iannone’s 351.2km/h. The 2017 Ducati Team line-up will see five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo from Spain join Italian Andrea Dovizioso for the 18-round season.

“Building on a more than 18-year strong strategic partnership with Ducati Corse, our advanced engineering solutions and bearings expertise have long helped Ducati achieve racing excellence including last year’s amazing results,” Alberto Guerrini, who is responsible for the Ducati account at SKF, said. “With the technical advantages of our solutions, such as low friction, long service lives and robustness, we are confident Ducati will enjoy another fantastic season.”

SKF is supporting Ducati with the design and validation of a broad range of specialist components that boost the performance of its purpose built racing machines. The custom engineered parts include deep groove and angular contact ball bearings, cylindrical, spherical and needle roller bearings, hub bearing units and inner rings.

The bespoke parts are developed to withstand the tough demands of the motorsport sector and feature special materials, such as viton, and heat treatments for consistently reliable, high precision operation. SKF also analyses the parts returned from races and track tests in dedicated laboratories to ensure every component is continually being improved further and optimised.

Mauro Grassilli, Marketing and Sponsorship Manager of Ducati Corse, said: “With SKF’s commitment to the constant development of innovative customised solutions and the flexibility of its factories and supply chain for urgent deliveries, the partnership we have with them is a vital element of our success on the track. Thanks to its continued technical support and dedication we have no doubt that this season will be better than ever.”


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Γιατί ο σχεδιασμός βάσει υγιεινής των ρουλεμάν είναι βασικός για την ασφάλεια των τροφίμων

Η έμφαση στη διασφάλιση της υγιεινής κατά το σχεδιασμό των εξοπλισμών μπορεί να διαδραματίζει σημαντικό ρόλο στον έλεγχο της ασφάλειας των τροφίμων που παρασκευάζονται. Ωστόσο, η εφαρμογή αυτής της προσέγγισης υπό την ευρεία της έννοια, χωρίς να δίνεται ειδικά έμφαση στη διασφάλιση της υγιεινής κατά το σχεδιασμό των εξαρτημάτων του συστήματος, μπορεί ενδεχομένως να ενέχει τον κίνδυνο της εξάπλωσης βακτηριδίων που είναι “παγιδευμένα” μέσα στα ρουλεμάν, υποστηρίζει ο Davide Zanghi, ο άνθρωπος που είναι υπεύθυνος για το σχεδιασμό βάσει υγιεινής της SKF.

Ο σχεδιασμός βάσει υγιεινής λαμβάνει υπόψη ειδικά το πώς συγκεκριμένα προβλήματα, όπως η διάβρωση, η διαρροή λιπαντικών, ο καθαρισμός και το στέγνωμα, θα μπορούσαν να επιφέρουν ανεπιθύμητες επιδράσεις στην ασφάλεια των τροφίμων. Περιλαμβάνει δε σχεδιαστικές αρχές για την επίλυση του προβλήματος. Στην ουσία, πρόκειται για τη σχεδιαστική φιλοσοφία που εφαρμόζεται μέσω ειδικών και συγκεκριμένων κανόνων. Όπως ακριβώς ο εργονομικός σχεδιασμός δίνει προσοχή στις φυσικές ανάγκες των χρηστών των προϊόντων, έτσι και ο σχεδιασμός βάσει υγιεινής εστιάζει συγκεκριμένα στην πρόληψη των προβλημάτων που σχετίζονται με τη μόλυνση των τροφίμων.

Ο όμιλος European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group (EHEDG) εστιάζει στην προαγωγή της ασφάλειας των τροφίμων, βελτιώνοντας τις τυπικές διαδικασίες μηχανικής και σχεδιασμού βάσει υγιεινής, ενώ περιλαμβάνει ως μέλη κατασκευαστές εξοπλισμών, εταιρείες τροφίμων και ερευνητικά ινστιτούτα. Το Νοέμβριο του 2016, διεξήχθη στη Δανία το διεθνές Παγκόσμιο Συνέδριό του. Με την ευκαιρία αυτή, η SKF, μέλος του Ομίλου EHEDG από το 2006, επεσήμανε τη μακρά ηγετική της θέση στον τομέα της αξιοποίησης αυτών των σχεδιαστικών αρχών.
Σχεδιαστικές αρχές: μια γρήγορη ματιά στα μέρη των ρουλεμάν

Σε γενικές γραμμές, οι κατευθυντήριες γραμμές της EHEDG αντιμετωπίζουν τα ρουλεμάν ως ένα εύκολο σημείο παγίδευσης σωματιδίων τροφών και νερού και, επομένως, θεωρούνται δυνητικά μέρη ανάπτυξης ύπουλων βακτηριδίων. Η συμβουλή είναι η εξής: κρατήστε τα ρουλεμάν μακριά από τις περιοχές που έρχονται σε επαφή με προϊόντα τροφίμων.

Αυτό είναι και το πνεύμα των πρόσφατων κατευθυντήριων γραμμών σχετικά με το σχεδιασμό βάσει υγιεινής των ιμάντων μεταφοράς της βιομηχανίας των τροφίμων, όπου ο EHEDG αντιμετωπίζει δύο από τις βασικές προκλήσεις της ασφάλειας στην παραγωγή των τροφίμων: πώς μπορεί να αποφευχθεί η μόλυνση των τροφίμων μέσω εξοπλισμού επεξεργασίας ακατάλληλης σχεδίασης και πώς μπορεί να βελτιωθεί η ασφάλεια των τροφίμων, χωρίς την αύξηση του κόστους για τον καθαρισμό και τη διασφάλιση της υγιεινής στην παραγωγή. Ακόμα και αν δοθεί πολλή προσοχή στο σχεδιασμό των συστημάτων και των βασικών εξαρτημάτων, όπως είναι οι ιμάντες, τα ρουλεμάν και οι μονάδες ρουλεμάν έχουν διαρκώς χαμηλό προφίλ στο γενικότερο πλαίσιο της συνολικής σχεδίασης των συστημάτων υγιεινής.

Ωστόσο, ακόμα και αν δεν είναι σε άμεση επαφή με τη ζώνη των τροφίμων, τα ρουλεμάν βρίσκονται συχνά κοντά στα προϊόντα τροφίμων και, σε συνδυασμό με το νερό υψηλής πίεσης ή τις τακτικές στεγνού καθαρισμού, ενέχουν τον κίνδυνο της μεταφοράς των βακτηριδίων μέσω του αέρα, αν υπάρχουν, και της πιθανής μόλυνσης των προϊόντων τροφίμων.

Προκειμένου να ελαχιστοποιηθεί ο κίνδυνος της μόλυνσης, βασικός παράγοντας είναι ο σχεδιασμός ρουλεμάν βάσει σχεδιαστικών αρχών που λαμβάνουν υπόψη τους τη διασφάλιση της υγιεινής. Μια από τις σημαντικότερες αρχές στο σχεδιασμό βάσει υγιεινής είναι η δυνατότητα αποτελεσματικού καθαρισμού. Ενδεχομένως, αυτή η αρχή να γίνεται εύκολα κατανοητή, αλλά συχνά είναι δύσκολο να διασφαλιστεί στην πράξη, ειδικά για τα ρουλεμάν και τις μονάδες ρουλεμάν. Γι’ αρχή, τα προϊόντα πρέπει να κατασκευάζονται από μη διαβρωτικά μη πορώδη υλικά, όπως ανοξείδωτο ατσάλι ή συνθετικά υλικά και να έχουν σχήματα τα οποία καθαρίζονται εύκολα και επιτρέπουν το φυσικό στέγνωμά τους. Οι μονάδες ρουλεμάν πρέπει να έχουν γεμισμένες βάσεις, χωρίς κοιλότητες όπου μπορούν να αναπτυχθούν γρηγορότερα τα μικρόβια.

Σε γενικές γραμμές, τα υλικά που χρησιμοποιούνται, όπως ελαστομερή και συνθετικά και τα γράσα πρέπει να συμμορφώνονται με τις οδηγίες και τους κανονισμούς περί ασφάλειας των τροφίμων. Σε όλες τις περιπτώσεις, πρέπει να αποτρέπεται το ενδεχόμενο διαρροής γράσου στα προϊόντα τροφίμων, κατά τη διάρκεια της λειτουργίας.

Ιδανικά, οι μονάδες ρουλεμάν πρέπει να έχουν αποτελεσματικά τελικά καλύμματα, τα οποία να αποτρέπουν τα μολυσματικά στοιχεία και τα καθαριστικά υγρά να εισχωρούν στην κοιλότητα των μονάδων ρουλεμάν και, ταυτόχρονα, να επιτρέπουν τον συχνό οπτικό έλεγχο.

Άλλοι σχετικοί τομείς είναι οι εξής:

• να αποφεύγετε τις μεταλλικές επαφές μεταξύ των εξαρτημάτων των μονάδων και μεταξύ των μονάδων και των προσκείμενων επιφανειών
• να αποφεύγετε την επαναλίπανση όσο το δυνατό περισσότερο
• διασφαλίστε υψηλή διάρκεια ζωής συντήρησης, ανεξάρτητα από τα προγράμματα λειτουργίας και καθαρισμού

Ο σχεδιασμός βάσει υγιεινής έχει εφαρμογή στην παραγωγή τροφίμων και τους μηχανισμούς συσκευασίας, συνολικά. Αντιμετωπίζοντας ειδικά ένα από τα πιο προβληματικά εξαρτήματα, τα ρουλεμάν, μπορείτε να βελτιώσετε συνολικά τη στρατηγική διαχείρισης κινδύνων.


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SKF builds to last: 3 000 tonnes of concrete anchor large size bearing test centre in Germany

SKF is currently building the world’s most powerful large size bearing test centre on its Schweinfurt ‘Werk 3’ site. This pioneering project is now one major step nearer completion – weighing in at around 3 000 tonnes, it took just two days to cast the foundations for the larger of the two new test rigs.

Around nine metres wide, six metres deep and 22 metres long, the pit that had to be filled for the base of the future SKF test rig was the size of two detached houses. It had to be filled quickly to ensure the concrete could set correctly.

Over the course of 19 hours, 150 mixer trucks brought in their load and discharged it in the pit, practically one vehicle every six minutes; so almost as if on a conveyor belt. “Obviously this was a logistical challenge,” says Armin Schaab of SKF’s Construction and Factory Planning team, “but quite clearly our detailed advance planning paid dividends. In addition, the entire team put in a magnificent effort on site, with everything running like clockwork and no incidents of note. This meant we were able to cast the 1 200 cubic metres as planned.”

The base is such a huge block because of the enormous forces likely to be unleashed by the test rig that will be anchored to it. The colossus among test rigs is intended in particular for the testing of gigantic rolling bearings for wind power. “It will be the first test rig in the world capable of testing not just a single main bearing but a complete bearing unit all at once,” says SKF’s Senior Vice President, Technology Development Bernd Stephan, hinting at the dimensions of this unique installation. “The bearings themselves can have an external diameter of anything up to six metres, being intended for turbines in the 10 megawatt class. The test rig can subject structures of that kind to dynamic forces in all directions that, when combined, are many times greater than on the strongest test installation currently available.”

Quite apart from that, the future test rig will also allow rotational speeds on testing that will be considerably higher than currently available. Using these exceptional capabilities, SKF wants to simulate extreme dynamic loads of the order of several meganewtons or meganewton metres in as realistic a manner as possible. In view of power capacity of this order, the engineers from RENK Test System GmbH, the firm entrusted with the development, even had to come up with a special fixing method that would direct the forces exerted on the station in a controlled manner along the correct paths.

“We are making these efforts because the existing computational simulation models simply aren’t capable of making truly realistic prognoses,” says Dr Martin Göbel, Manager of the test centre project at SKF in Schweinfurt. “Our two new test rigs will provide a remedy in this respect and give us insights into processes that were previously inaccessible. The relevant findings will make the new test centre a pioneering instrument in helping many customers from a wide variety of industries gain access to an energy-efficient future in a way that is tailored to the application in question.”

“In the final analysis, the 360 MSEK investment in the new test centre will help us customise large size bearings to their subsequent uses much more precisely and efficiently than has previously been possible,” says Manfred E. Neubert, President of SKF GmbH. “This means that our customers benefit from significantly higher levels of robustness and reliability in the new generation of large size bearings.” For SKF itself, the new test centre is like one of those final pieces in a puzzle soon to be completed, adding to the expertise in large size bearings already available on the Schweinfurt site.

Follow the construction of the world’s most powerful large size bearing test centre: http://skf-download.de/pruefzentrum/cam1en.php.


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Digitizing ship repairs: Why condition-based maintenance is gaining traction

The current situation in the maritime industry means ship owners are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs—while increasing safety and reliability. A condition-based maintenance strategy could help. But how does it work? And how can ship owners implement it successfully?

Choosing the right approach

CM solutions are vital to any CBM strategy. They work by using sensor devices to capture data on machinery and components: for example, accelerometers could measure the vibration of rotating components. Specialists then apply algorithms and their own knowledge to the data to analyze the equipment’s condition and identify any deterioration in performance.

There are two approaches to this: the data can either be collected periodically or continuously. The periodic approach relies on monthly or quarterly checks using portable devices. While this can be more cost-effective than continuous monitoring, there is the potential risk of issues going undetected in the time between checks. Therefore, continuous, real-time monitoring is typically applied to machines such as thrusters and alternators that are critical to operations or where repairs can be costly and time-consuming.

Continuous monitoring

  • Better suited to critical machinery
  • Real-time view of machinery conditions
  • More cost-effective in the long term
  • Conducted using online Systems

Periodic Monitoring

  • Typically used on non-critical systems
  • Provides advanced warning of failure
  • More cost-effective in the short term
  • Conducted using portable devices

 

The key to maximum reliability

Although they require more effort to implement on board, online systems for continuous monitoring have many benefits. When used in tandem with CM software, they provide integrated expert knowledge and automatic alerts based on detailed specifications. Specialists can quickly identify any faults and track their development to keep the machine operating in a safe and reliable manner. This not only helps ship operators to considerably reduce costs and minimize downtime, but also enables them to plan maintenance more efficiently and ensure the availability of replacement parts.

A CBM strategy can also extend inspection intervals. For example, a shipping company recently used the SKF thruster monitoring system on its thrusters to continuously monitor vibration and oil condition. By implementing a CM system, the company fulfilled the requirements of classification societies, extending the inspection interval from five years to seven and a half years. This saves an enormous amount of time and effort.

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Taking digitization on board

As maritime companies continue to adopt practices from other industries, CBM is now starting to gain traction in shipping. But digitization also contributes to its surge in popularity. Many ship operators are moving more and more data to the cloud to facilitate the sharing of information. This allows onshore experts to perform analyses and send their findings and recommendations to engineers onboard the vessel and onshore technical support teams.

Both trends look set to grow in the near future as shipping companies invest in ways to reduce total cost of ownership. By optimising ship safety, performance, and reliability, condition-based maintenance will certainly play a major role in the future of the sector.

Predictive, proactive, reliable

Cloud technology is revolutionising ship maintenance. Data can now be easily shared with more experts, both onshore and offshore, anywhere in the world. This helps them to make the right decisions at the right time and improve maintenance planning.


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Construction industry lies at the base of the world economy

Be it residential, commercial, heavy, civil or industrial edifice, they all require reliable heavy duty machinery and long term, trouble free functioning. JTEKT supplies both standard and customised Koyo products to serve those demanding applications.

The construction industry may be showing a differential growth pattern all over the world, nonetheless the use of modern technologies is always a must in order to assure reliability and efficiency.

Construction machinery designed for high performance in extreme harsh environments calls for bearings which can withstand these working conditions and at the same time guarantee proper functioning over a long time span. At JTEKT we follow the latest developments in the construction industry closely and our bearings are designed in order to meet up with the demands of this industry.

Experience and capabilities

JTEKT products are present in construction vehicles and equipment, whether in their drivetrain, in their power units or in their accessories. Typical applications are planetary gear reducers, steering systems, pumps and driveshaft. The unbeatable quality of our products and their specific designs allow our customers to guarantee superior performance to the end users under the extreme operating conditions (temperature, pollution, etc.) of those applications.

Products:

  • Tapered roller bearings
  • Cylindrical roller bearings
  • Spherical roller bearings
  • Solid race needle bearings
  • Cylindrical roller bearings
  • Cage & Roller assemblies
  • Universal joint bearings
  • Needle rollers sets
  • Thrust bearings

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Going circular: The next industrial revolution?

The benefits of recycling, reusing and re-manufacturing have been promoted for years. But today, the practice has evolved from one of environmental responsibility to a model for the future of industry and world economies. It’s called the “circular economy” and is viewed by many as the next industrial revolution.

The circular economy aims to almost eliminate waste by using products, parts and raw materials for as long as possible. Proponents see the model as having tremendous global advantages, offering a solution to population growth, dwindling natural resources and climate change.

Researchers and scientists view it as an absolute necessity, as elements, including gold, silver and tungsten could be exhausted in the next 50 years. Other resources, such as crude oil, are getting harder and more expensive, to extract. Commodity prices are increasingly volatile and environmental degradation is impacting the food supply.

Bringing the circular economy to reality will require the reorganisation of how the world produces and consumes. Changes will include designing products to last longer, and in a way that allows raw materials and components to be stripped out when the product has reach the end of its service life. Using renewable resources, reusing and recycling excess resources, and buying and selling services instead of products would also be standard procedure.

Leading business and industrial leaders are already buying in. French automaker Renault, fashion retailer H&M, and telecommunications giant Vodafone have introduced  “circularity” into their business models.  Other companies are sure to follow.  Could your organisation benefit?


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New SKF grease cuts false brinelling damage in half

The innovative anti-false brinelling grease for hub bearing units from SKF reduces friction and wear significantly, while improving bearing performance.

SKF has launched a new grease that has been proven to reduce the damage caused by false brinelling in hub bearing units by more than 50 per cent when compared with competing greases. The lubricant has been introduced to the market to help overcome this wear phenomenon and can also enable overall improvements in vehicle efficiency by limiting fretting corrosion and the micro-damages caused by vibration.

Designed for use with both new designs and retrofits, the grease is fully compatible with bearing components materials and came out as the best performing lubricant for reducing the raceway micro-damages caused by false brinelling when tested alongside several other standard greases.

In particular, this solution was shown to lead to a consistent improvement in bearing robustness against the micro-damages in the raceways that often occur during vehicle transportation by rail or truck, for example. In addition, the grease maintains the performance level of the hub bearing unit, including service life.

Roberto Galante, Manager of Advanced Development Wheel End at SKF, said: “With the ability to cut false brinelling damage in half, this grease will play a vital role in helping OEMs to ensure that the micro-damages caused by ball-raceway contact in hub bearing units during vehicle transportation will not exceed the strict thresholds specified by automotive companies. Furthermore, the lubricant maintains the same bearing qualities for consistently optimal reliability and performance.”


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Ο Peter Solberg (και η χορηγός του TengTools) νικητές της σύγχρονης «Μάχης του Μαραθώνα»

Category : Νέα

Ο παγκόσμιος πρωταθλητής Ράλι του 2003, Νορβηγός Petter Solberg, o περσινός νικητής RWD, Luke Woodham, ο οδηγός Rally cross, Reinis Nitiss, ο αστέρας των X-Games, Liam Doran, και ο ιδρυτής του Gymkhana GRiD, Ken Block, έγραψαν ιστορία στον Μαραθώνα, όπου έγινε ο φετινός τελικός του άκρως θεαματικού Gymkhana Grid.

Έπειτα από δυνατές μάχες οι Petter Solberg και Luke Woodham στέφθηκαν νικητές στις κατηγορίες All-Wheel Drive (AWD) και Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) αντίστοιχα, ενώ το μεγάλο αστέρι των δεξιοτεχνιών, ο Αμερικανός Ken Block, έμεινε εκτός του τελικού, εκπλήσσοντας δυσάρεστα τους χιλιάδες θεατές που αψήφησαν το κρύο και έσπευσαν στο Μαραθώνα, ελπίζοντας να δουν τον «Hollywood» Peter απέναντι στον πανύψηλο Αμερικανό show man (έχει προσπαθήσει την τύχη του και στα Ράλι, αλλά με φτωχά αποτελέσματα).

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Τελικά, η αναμέτρηση της ημέρας έγινε ανάμεσα στον παγκόσμιο πρωταθλητή Petter Solberg και τον Liam Doran. Οι δύο οδηγοί με Citroen Xsara & DS3 αντίστοιχα, μεγάλης ιπποδύναμης, έδωσαν ένα εντυπωσιακό show μέχρι το τέλος, με τη διαφορά μόλις στα 1,7 δευτερόλεπτα, υπέρ του πρώτου.

Ο θριαμβευτής της σύγχρονης «Μάχης του Μαραθώνα» Petter Solberg, δήλωσε: «Δεν θυμάμαι την τελευταία φορά που ήμουν τόσο αγχωμένος για έναν αγώνα. Ήθελα πολύ να κατακτήσω την νίκη. Είναι σαν όνειρο δεν μπορώ να σας περιγράψω το πώς αισθάνομαι αυτή την στιγμή, νιώθω ότι κέρδισα το παγκόσμιο πρωτάθλημα. Αυτό που με έκανε να νιώσω πίεση ήταν η λάθος εκκίνηση σε μία από τις μάχες. Το Citroen μου δεν έχει launch control και όλα πρέπει να γίνουν χειροκίνητα. Έπρεπε να ρισκάρω, αποφάσισα ότι η μόνη λύση είναι να πατήσω τέρμα το γκάζι. Στον ημιτελικό και τελικό ήμουν πιο συγκρατημένος προσπαθώντας να μην κάνω λάθη και να έχω μια άψογη απόδοση. Ήταν ένα μοναδικό event, θέλω να πω ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ σε όλο τον κόσμο που ήρθε να μας υποστηρίξει».

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Να σημειωθεί ότι στο νέο για την ελληνική πραγματικότητα είδος αγώνα αυτοκινήτων, συμμετείχαν και έλληνες οδηγοί, μερικοί των οποίων (Πάνος Κύρκος, Βασίλης Βελάνης, Αποστόλης Κυριακούδης) διακρίθηκαν αποκλείοντας ξένους, εξειδικευμένους σε αυτή την μορφή αγώνα, οδηγούς.

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